Savannah Criminal Defense Attorneys
Protecting Your Rights, Freedom, and Reputation
Suppose you are facing criminal charges. You are probably feeling scared and unsure of what you can do to protect your freedom. Criminal convictions can have a lifelong impact on your ability to achieve your life goals. Depending on the charges, you may encounter challenges in your personal life, such as finding a job, suitable housing, or enrolling in the school of your choice.
The best way to protect your rights, freedom, and reputation is to hire a criminal defense attorney. An experienced defense attorney will help you navigate the criminal justice system and fight to have your charges dropped or reduced. Contact Scheer, Montgomery & Call, P.C., today at our Savannah, GA, law office to schedule a free initial consultation, allowing us to evaluate your case thoroughly.
When Do I Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
One of the most common mistakes that individuals charged with criminal offenses often make is waiting to hire an attorney. All too often, defendants want to believe that their charges will go away and they will not need legal representation. The truth is that anyone who has been charged with a crime will need to hire a defense attorney immediately, who will act as their legal advocate.
If you are arrested, the police will advise you of your constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent. If the police try to question you, it is your right to ask for an attorney to be present during questioning. The police are permitted to employ deceptive tactics to gather information in criminal cases. That being the case, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as you have been arrested so that you do not inadvertently jeopardize your case.
If you have been arrested or believe an arrest is imminent, contact our Savannah criminal defense attorneys immediately so we can begin working on your case.
What Legal Services Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Offer to Clients?
Criminal defense lawyers provide a range of legal services to help clients defend themselves against misdemeanor or felony charges. A defense lawyer also defends clients against traffic charges, such as reckless driving or hit-and-run offenses. A lawyer can also represent clients during bond hearings.
Some other common cases that defense lawyers handle for clients include legal representation for:
- Drug Charges
- DUI Cases
- Reckless Driving Charges
- Sex Crimes
- Theft charges
- Violent Crimes
Other areas of legal support provided by a lawyer include filing paperwork, filing motions, and negotiating with the prosecuting attorney. If the state is not willing to offer a favorable outcome, a lawyer will prepare a solid defense strategy and present it in court before a judge or jury.
What is the Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony Charges in Georgia?
In Georgia, criminal offenses are classified as either misdemeanors or felonies. The severity of the crime and the potential penalties determine how an offense is charged. Individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses may face up to 12 months of jail time and/or a fine of up to $ 1,000. Examples of misdemeanor charges include minor drug possession, first-time drunk driving charges, and possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Conversely, felonies are more serious criminal offenses that could result in defendants being sentenced to at least one year in prison and steep fines. Individuals accused of armed robbery, sex crimes, or violent offenses can face felony charges.
Many people mistakenly believe that a misdemeanor conviction will not have a negative impact on their lives. However, any criminal conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life. If you are convicted of a felony offense, you will be prohibited from legally owning or possessing firearms, holding a professional license, and serving on a jury.
Due to the severe legal implications involved with criminal convictions, it is always in your best interest to hire a highly trained defense attorney to represent you. Your attorney will work to have your charges dropped or reduced, allowing you to resume your life.
What are the Most Common Legal Defense Strategies Used By Attorneys?
Georgia attorneys employ a range of legal defense strategies when representing clients facing criminal charges. The defense strategies that a lawyer chooses will depend on the circumstances involved in the case.
Alibi
One of the most successful defense strategies lawyers use is to prove that their clients could not have committed the crime because they were somewhere at the time the offense occurred.
Duress
A defense lawyer may be able to present evidence that their client was coerced into committing the crime.
Self-defense
The defendant used force to prevent themselves or others from being harmed.
Entrapment
A skilled lawyer may be able to prove that their client was encouraged by law enforcement officials to commit a crime.
Mental Incapacity
An attorney may be able to lay out evidence that demonstrates their client lacks the mental capacity to fully understand their actions.
Mistake of Fact
In some cases, a lawyer can argue that their client misunderstood the facts and believed their actions were justified.
Other strategies include lawyers presenting evidence that their client’s constitutional rights have been violated or that the case lacks sufficient evidence and should therefore be thrown out.
Should I Plead Guilty So I Can Put My Charges Behind Me?
No one wants to be charged with a criminal offense. However, police and other law enforcement officials do not always get it right and are often overzealous when pursuing criminal charges. One of the primary roles of a defense attorney is to help clients achieve a favorable outcome in their case.
For example, suppose you are facing a DUI charge. A DUI conviction can result in your license being suspended and possibly having to serve jail time. Many DUI defendants make the mistake of thinking they will just plead guilty so they can resume their lives. However, anyone who has been charged with a DUI or any other type of crime must always hire a defense attorney who understands the nuances of criminal law and knows what it takes to get results.
When you seek help from an attorney, they will act as your legal advocate and analyze your case to determine the strength of the state’s case against you. Based on the evidence, an attorney can file motions asking that evidence be excluded, which could significantly weaken the state’s case. Additionally, your attorney may be able to argue that the state’s evidence does not support the charges you are facing and ask that they be reduced.
Due to the legal complexities involved with facing criminal charges, you should seek legal advice from an experienced defense attorney who will fight to protect your rights and freedom.
Do All Criminal Cases End Up Going to Trial to Be Resolved?
A common fear among criminal defendants is that their case will have to go to trial to be resolved. Although a judge or jury hears some criminal cases, most are settled out of court through negotiations between defense lawyers and prosecutors.
Prosecutors are often receptive to offering plea bargains to avoid the time and expense of taking a case to trial. Most state prosecutors have heavy caseloads and often collaborate with defense lawyers to negotiate out-of-court sentencing agreements. Defense lawyers are skilled negotiators and often uncover evidence that casts doubt on the state’s version of events. Prosecutors are hesitant to use the state’s resources to go to trial if they feel their case is weak.
It is worth noting that not all criminal cases can be resolved through negotiations. When negotiations fail or prosecutors are unwilling to offer a favorable plea deal, the case will proceed to trial for a decision.
Scheer, Montgomery & Call, P.C. is a Savannah law firm with comprehensive experience in helping clients who have been accused of criminal conduct. Our skilled attorneys understand the legal standards the state uses when pursuing criminal cases, and we never back down from a fight. If your case does proceed to court, our lawyers have a proven track record of winning jury trials for our clients.
Why Should I Trust Your Savannah Criminal Defense Lawyers to Defend Me?
Scheer, Montgomery & Call, P.C. is a law firm in Southeast Georgia dedicated to providing clients with aggressive legal representation to fight criminal charges. Our highly experienced legal team includes a former prosecutor, who provides us with a unique perspective on the criteria the state uses to pursue criminal charges.
Our dedicated defense attorneys and staff have a proven reputation in the Chatham County legal community and are well-known for obtaining favorable outcomes for clients. When you come to us for help, we will thoroughly analyze your case, challenge the results of the criminal investigation, and fight for your freedom. Contact our law firm at 912-233-1273 so we can start on your defense today.